Diabetes - preventing heart attack and stroke

Lower your risks

People with diabetes have a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. High blood pressure and high cholesterol increase these risks even more. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol are very important for preventing heart attacks and strokes.

See your doctor who treats your diabetes often. During these visits, health care providers will check your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. You may also be instructed to take medicines.

Do not smoke cigarettes. Talk with your doctor if you need help quitting.

Take your medicines the way your doctor and nurse instruct you to.

Do not miss doctor's appointments.

Cholesterol

When you have extra cholesterol in your blood, it builds up inside the walls of your heart's arteries (blood vessels). This buildup is called plaque. It narrows your arteries and reduces or stops blood flow. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, or other serious heart disease.

Most people with diabetes are prescribed a medicine to reduce their LDL cholesterol levels. A group of medicines called statins are almost always used. You should learn how to take your statin medicine and how to watch for side effects.

Doctors used to set a target LDL cholesterol level of between 70 and 100 mg/dL for people with diabetes. Now, there is no specific target number.

If you have other risk factors for heart disease or stroke, your provider may prescribe higher doses of a statin drug.

Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels at least once a year.

Get plenty of exercise, as well. Talk with your doctor about what kinds of exercises are right for you.

Blood pressure

Have your blood pressure checked often. You can have it checked at a fire station or a drugstore. Your doctor or nurse should check your blood pressure at every visit. For most people with diabetes, a good blood pressure goal is less than 130 to 140 over 80 mm Hg. Ask your doctor what is best for you.

Before you exercise

Getting exercise will help you control your diabetes and make your heart stronger. Always talk with your doctor before you start an exercise program or before you increase the amount of exercise you are doing. Some people with diabetes may have heart problems and not know it because they do not have symptoms.

Taking aspirin may help

Taking aspirin every day lowers your risk for heart attacks. The recommended dose is 81 mg a day. Do not take aspirin without talking to your doctor first. Ask your doctor about taking an aspirin every day if: